March 18, 2016

Gov. David Ige today signed into law four
energy bills, including one that strengthens Hawaii’s commitment to clean
energy by directing the state’s utilities to generate 100 percent of their
electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2045.

The bold step taken by the Hawai‘i State Legislature in
passing the landmark legislation (HB623)
fulfills one of Ige’s policy objectives by making Hawai‘i the first state in
the nation to set a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for the
electricity sector.

“As the most oil dependent state in the nation, Hawai‘i
spends roughly $5 billion a year on foreign oil to meet its energy needs.
Making the transition to renewable, indigenous resources for power generation
will allow us to keep more of that money at home, thereby improving our
economy, environment and energy security,” Ige said. “I’d like to thank the
senate and house energy committee chairs for championing HB623 and ensuring
that Hawai‘i remains a national leader in clean energy.”

“Setting a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard will
help drive investment in Hawai‘i’s growing clean energy sector,” said Luis
Salaveria, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and
Tourism. “Our commitment to clean energy has already attracted entrepreneurs
and businesses from around the world, looking to develop, test and prove
emerging technologies and strategies right here in Hawai‘i.”

“Raising the bar for renewable energy in Hawai‘i will also
push the state to stay out in front on innovation,” said Mark Glick,
administrator, State Energy Office. “We are finding ways to be innovative both
with technical solutions and financing structures that will help us meet our
ambitious renewable energy goals.”

“Renewable energy projects are already producing cheaper
power than new fossil fuel projects in Hawai‘i, and it’s only going to get
cheaper as renewable technology advances, unlike fossil fuels which will only
grow more expensive as they become more difficult to extract from a shrinking
supply,” added Rep. Chris Lee, Chair of the House Energy and Environmental
Protection Committee. “The faster we move toward renewable energy the faster we
can stop exporting billions from our local economy to import expensive fossil
fuels.”

Another measure signed by Ige (SB1050)
will help democratize renewable energy by creating a structure that will allow
renters, condominium owners and others who have been largely shut out of
Hawai‘i’s clean energy transformation, to purchase electricity generated at an
off-site renewable energy facility, such as a large-scale solar farm.

The bill establishing a community-based renewable energy
program will be particularly valuable on O‘ahu where there is a high
concentration of high-rise condominiums that lack sufficient roof space to
support on-site solar panels. The law is also expected to provide relief
to homeowners and businesses who are located on highly saturated circuits that
cannot accommodate additional PV installations.

“As of March 2015, there are about 56,000 PV/Solar systems
on rooftops. These folks are saving tremendously on their electricity
bills. That’s great, but what about the 44 percent of Hawai‘i residents who
don’t own their homes? And those without roof space? SB 1050 allows people to
form a hui, find a piece of land, and purchase or lease however many PV panels
they want and then get a credit on their electricity bill for the energy they
produce. We spend $3-5 billion annually buying fossil fuels; this is an
awesome concept that will help keep some of that money here to help our
economy,” said Sen. Mike Gabbard, who co-authored the bill while serving as
chair of the Energy and Environment Committee.

In addition to the 100 percent RPS and community-based
renewable energy bills, Ige signed into law a measure that sets a net-zero
energy goal for the University of Hawai‘i System (HB1509)
and another that designates a state hydrogen implementation coordinator (HB1296).